vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

Look up any Duolingo word — find out how it differs between Brazilian and European Portuguese

Is the word super the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?

No.

While the dictionary meaning and spelling of "super" are identical in both dialects, there is a difference in typical usage. In Brazilian Portuguese, "super" has become a ubiquitous, standalone intensifier in colloquial speech, often used as a synonym for "very" or "great" (e.g., "Isso é super"). In Continental Portuguese, while "super" is commonly used as a prefix (e.g., superinteressante), it is much less common to use it as a standalone word to intensify an adjective. Instead, a Portuguese person is more likely to use "muito," "mesmo," or the slang "bué" to achieve the same effect.

Brazilian Portuguese usage:

1. Esse filme é super legal! (This movie is super cool!)
2. Eu estou super feliz com o resultado. (I am super happy with the result.)
3. A comida estava super gostosa. (The food was super tasty.)
4. Ela é uma pessoa super gente boa. (She is a super nice person.)
5. O trabalho foi super difícil. (The work was super difficult.)

Continental Portuguese usage:

1. Esse filme é muito giro! (That movie is very nice/cool!)
2. Estou muito contente com o resultado. (I am very happy with the result.)
3. A comida estava muito boa. (The food was very good.)
4. Ela é uma pessoa muito porreira. (She is a very cool/nice person.)
5. O trabalho foi bué de difícil. (The work was super/very difficult. — Using the common slang "bué")